Litter grabbler and handling implement

ABSTRACT

An implement for use in facilitating a Grounds-Keeper&#39;&#39;s chore, in the matter of collecting, handling and disposing of such litter, as a discarded palatable drink can, bottle, or scrap paper selectively, which may be strewn upon the surface of the ground, in a manner which precludes substantially the bending, stooping or touching the litter as normally would be required of the cited person.

[ Jan. 15, 1974 United States Patent [1 1 Tanksley 294/19 R 294/19 R 294/19 R X g i LOUIS Primary Examiner-Richard E. Aegerter Assistant Examiner-Jeffrey V. Nase mm HG 32 65 ww WM 254 9 3 47 7 5 5 209 5 l 3 32 G m m L 7 D 5 m M n m D a m T R M E h m m m m T 3 Mn E E m Ln T P w umm M M 5 U [22] Filed: Feb. 22, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 335,037

ABSTRACT An implement for use in facilitating a Grounds- Keepers chore, in the matter of collecting, handling and disposing of such litter, as a discarded palatable drink can, bottle, or scrap paper selectively; which may be strewn upon the surface of the ground, in a manner which precludes substantially the bending, stooping or touching the litter as normally would be required of the cited person.

[52] US. 294/19 R, 294/100, 294/115 Int. Cl. A47f 13/06 294/19 R, 86 R, 100,

[58] Field of Search................

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,265,429 8/1966 294/19 R 4 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PAIENTEUJAN 1 5 m4 suit! in? PATENIEDJANY5I974 3.785.689

SHEET 2 W 2 at! W 1 LITTER GRABBLER AND HANDLING IMPLEMENT The implement comprises a self retracting plunger shaft of selective length which is adapted to reciprocate substantially within the extent of a complimentary sheath. The sheath having a hand-hold provided about the spring-loaded end thereof, and a foot portion disposed in both communication and in angular relation with the free end portion thereof; thereby enabling the user to position the foot-portion in substantial parallel relation with the surface of the ground, as when sustaining the implement in inclined relation to the latter. The implement further includes a claw which is defined by a pair of jaws, each of which includes a multiplicity of sector-shaped articulated and spaced rod-members having forwardly tapered teeth; wherein one of the jaws is adapted for a fixed depending connection with the free end of the foot portion, in a manner whereby the teeth of the former will extend beyond the mouth of the latter. The companion jaw being adapted for a fixed depending connection with the end portion of a boom, which is disposed both in pivotal relation with the sheath and in spaced medial relation with the mouth of the foot portion, wherein the extent of the boom is such that it will accommodate the contiguous relationship of the opposed multiplicity of teeth, as when the jaws are disposed in a normally resting position. Disposed in interposed pivotal relation with both the free end portion ofthe plunger shaft and a portion of the body of the boom which normally transverses the medially disposed axis of the mouth associated with the foot portion there is provided a train of roller links which enables the plunger-shaft to transpose its action into a swinging action upon the boom, as through the elbow which interposes integrally both the sheath and the foot portion, and for the purpose of initiating the action of the plunger-shaft for opening the jaws of the claw, then for this purpose there is provided in proximity with the hand-hold a push-pin which transverses laterally both the sheath and the plunger shaft, wherein the push-pin is associated in slidable relation with the former and fixedly with the latter; thereby, the push-pin enables the user to substantially extend the plunger shaft inwardly and forwardly the sheath by the use of either his thumb, index finger or both selectively, as when sustaining the implement within the grip of a selective hand. The action of which amplifies the radial distance of travel of the movable jaw from its companion jaw by virtue of the extent of the boom, in respect to the axial distance traveled by the push-pin; thereby, the jaws are enabled to span the periphery of the cited ridgid litter selectively for the automatic injection thereof into the fold of the claw for releasably holding and handling the litter for disposition of the latter into a suitable waste receptacle. Further, scrap paper maybe grabbled from the surface of the ground by the bite of the claw in a manner wherein the action of the implement has been previously described.

It being apparent from the afore-going description of my invention that the main object thereof is to provide a portable and manually operated implement which will in effect enable the user to pick-up from the surface of the ground such cited litter which may be composed of either a ridgid or flexible body selectively, for transposing the litter into a waste receptacle, in a manner which precludes the bending, stooping or touching the litter by the cited person.

Another object of my invention is to provide the means there with; whereby, the user thereof may manipulate its cited action by the use of either his thumb, index finger or both selectively, as when sustaining the implement for use, within a selective hand.

It being a further object of my invention to provide a litter pick-up and handling implement which normally has the teeth thereof shielded in a manner which substantially precludes the possibility of the user accidentally inflicting himseld with a wound.

With these and other objects in view that may appear as the more detailed description of the invention proceeds, which comprises the novel arrangement of cooperating elements as hereinafter set forth, claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawing forming part of this application, and in which:

FIG. I is a view in side elevation of the invention; wherein certain outer portion have been removed in order to reveal inner components of construction; further, the view includes the initial action of the implement which is shown in phantasm.

FIG. 2 is a view in front elevation of the implement; wherein, certain outer portions have been removed in order to reveal inner components of construction; further, the view includes the final action thereof, which is shown in phantasm.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of certain components associated with the implement which being taken substantially on the line 7-7 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is another plan view taken on the line 8-8 of the same FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a view in side elevation of a roller link associated with the implement.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the roller-link taken substantially on the line 9-9 of FIG. 5; further, the view includes the removal of certain outer portions associated with the roller-link in order to reveal other inner elements of construction.

Referring now in detail to the several views of the drawing, wherein for the purpose of illustration I have therein disclosed a preferred embodiment of the cited implement; wherein I employ a hollow member of selective length having a rectangular cross-section and herein constitutes sheath I2. Sheath I2 may be composed of a suitable plastic material, but my preference being the use of a metal resistive to corrosion, such as gavanized steel for the reason that the material is more durable in use.

Further, sheath I2 is provided with the foot portion I3 which extends in inclined relation thereto; thereby providing the integral elbow l4 of which the radius is such, that it will enable the user to extend the sheath I2 in inclined relation to the surface of the ground, as when the foot portion is disposed substantially parallel to the latter which serves a henceforth described purpose. Further, and in order to provide a suitable gripping portion for the free end of the sheath I2 there is provided the rubber sleeve in press-fitting relation therewith, and which sleeve constitutes hand-hold l5 herein.

Disposed slidably and complimentary to the inner perimeter of sheath I2 and substantially to the extent thereof there is provided the plunger shaft 16 having the integral tongues I7 and I8 provided with the opposite ends thereof respectively. Tongue 17 serves to detachably hold the open looped end portion l9 of the helical wound coil spring 20, as at 21, and wherein the opposite open loop end portion 22 of spring 20 is detachably fixed with the pintle 23 as at 24. Pintle 23 is recessed rotatably within and through wall 25 as at 26 of the plug-fitting 27 which is adapted for a press-fit within the mouth of sheath [2; thereby, affording an anchor for the end portion 22 of spring 20.

Sheath I2 is further provided with the pair of opposed axial slots 28 and 28 in proximity with hand-hold I5, which serve to accommodate the sliding action of the push-pin 29 which extends through slots 28 and 28 after transversing in fixed relation plunger shaft I6 as at 30. Push-pin 29 normally rests against stop 31 as when plunger-shaft I6 is disposed in a retracted position in respect to sheath l2, and when plunger-shaft I6 is extended in proximity with elbow [4 then push-pin 29 will abut the stop3la; thereby precluding the possibility of plunger shaft 16 becoming wedged within elbow 14. Further, the purpose of extending push-pin 29 laterally the opposed walls of sheath I2 is to accommodate the user, that is if his hand is thumbless then he can manipulate the push-pin 29 with his index finger, as when gripping hand-hold 15, or he may be enabled to manipulate push-pin 29 with both his thumb and index finger selectively and simultaneously; thereby facilitating the initial action of plunger shaft l6 in a manner which would preclude substantial fatigue to the users hand, for the reason that spring 20 acts as a counter force thereto.

With reference being had to the cited tongue l8 associated integrally with plunger shaft [6, and wherein tongue l8 serves as an anchor for pivotly holding the pair of opposed links 32-32 at the opposite sides thereof respectively as by the transversely disposed headed axle-tree 33 which is accommodated slidably by tongue I8 as through its bore 34 provided therethrough, and wherein links 32-32 are spaced from the opposite sides of tongue 18 by the accommodating washers 35-35 respectively which serves a henceforth described purpose.

Disposed in superposed fixed relation with the free end portion of the cited foot-portion 13 there is provided the clevis 36 which comprises the leg-portion 37 and the arm-portion 38 which is disposed at right angles thereto, and which arm-portion extends beyond the foot-portion l3. Arm-portion 38 includes medially the free end thereof the recessed-portion or slot 39 which is adapted to slidably accommodate the rectangular shaped boom 40 which is pivoted to the headed axle-tree 4l which is accomodated slidably by the pair of opposed bores 42-42 provided through tongues 43-43 associated with the cited arm-portion 38; thereby, boom 40 may be enabled to swing freely to and from the mouth 44 of foot-portion l3 alternately, and in order for plunger shaft l6 to be enabled to control the cited action of boom 40 as through elbow l4 associated with sheath [2 then for this purpose there is provided the train of roller links 45-45 which are pivotly secured in procession by the pair bridging links 46-46, in a manner similar to the bridging of links 32-32 at the opposite sides of the cited tongue [8 associated with plunger shaft l6, and wherein each roller link 45 comprises the pair of wheels 47-47 which are adapted to roll through elbow l4 as when journaled in interposed relation with the pair of opposed links 48-48 in a manner previously described, and in turn the procession of roller-links 45-45 are pivotly anchored at one end thereof to the free ends of the cited links 32-32 which have been adapted to bridge pivotly links 48-48 associated with each roller link 45 by virtue of the pair of spacing washers -35 respectively. Further, and in order to fully extend boom from the mouth 44 associated with the cited foot-portion 13 by virtue of push-pin 29 as when disposed in abutting relation with the cited stop 31a then for this purpose there is provided the pair of links 49-49 which bridgedin pivotly fixed relation both the free end of the procession of roller links -45 and the body portion of boom 40 which normally is aligned medially the mouth 44 associated with foot-portion l3, and wherein the axle-tree 50 which is accommodated slidably by the bore SI provided through boom 40 serves to pivotly anchor the latter stated pair of links 49-49 which extend their free ends through the cited mouth 44; thereby the reciprocal action of the plunger shaft 16 will be enabled to swing boom 40 to and from the foot-portion l3 alter-. nately through the elbow I4 by virtue of the procession of roller links 45-45, by reason of the flexibility afforded thereto by links 32 and 49.

Now referring to the cited boom 40 which serves to swing therewith one of a pair of companion jaws 52-53 which constitute the claw 54 herein, and wherein each jaw 52 and 53 comprises a multiplicity of an odd number of substantially semi-circular shaped rods, of either circular or rectangular cross-section selectively, constituting legs 55,55,-55. Legs 55,55,-55 have one extremity thereof provided with a forwardly tapered portion constituting teeth 56,56-56, and wherein the opposite' extremity thereof is articulated fixedly to the transversing rod-member constituting header 57, as may be best observed within FIG. 3, in a manner whereby legs 55,55,-55 will be disposed in spaced equal relation; further, the free end portion of boom 40 is adapted in a manner whereby it will compliment the out-wardly disposed periphery of the centrally disposed leg 55 ofjaw 52; whereby it may be weldingly secured thereto, as at 58; thereby, jaw 52 will depend therefrom in a manner whereby teeth 56,56-56 will be disposed in the direction of the implement, and further jaw 52 will swing in accordance with boom 40. Further, and in order to align the respective teeth 56 of jaw 53 in a manner whereby they will be normally disposed in contiguous resilient relation, as by virtue of the spring 20, with the respective teeth 56 associated with jaw 52, then for this purpose there is provided the rectangular spacer block or stanchion 59 which is adapted to interpose dependingly & fixedly foot-portion [3 as at 60 and the centrally disposed leg-member 55 of jaw 53 in a manner previously described.

It being now apparent that by virtue of the extent of teeth 56 associated with the movable jaw 52 from the pivotal arrangement between the boom 40 and the links 49, that jaw 52 may-be enabled to span the periphery ofthe afore-cited ridgid litter selectively, as when jaw 52 moves radially from the fixed jaw 53 by the forward action of plunger-shaft l6 induced thereto by a manually applied push force acting against pushpin 29, as when the fixed jaw is disposed in a resting position upon the ground by the user through virtue of the extent of teeth 56 associated with fixed jaw 52 from hand-hold [5; thereby the cited litter may be injected into the fold of claw 54 automatically and simultaneously to the recall of plunger-shaft 16; whereby the selective litter may be remotely removed from the ground and disposed of, as when deposited into a suitable waste receptacle by the user in a manner which precludes the contamination of the users hand by the soiled litter as otherwise would occur. Further, it being apparent that from the afore-cited action of the claw 54 that scrap-paper may be removed remotely from the ground by the raking action of the movable jaw 52 as when automatically closing with the fixed jaw 53; thereby, the flexible litter may-be clutched resilently between the opposed teeth 56 of claw 54, until disposed of in a manner previously cited.

It is believed that from the disclosure of my invention that the use and advantage afforded thereby will be clearly apparent, and further description thereof is deemed un-necessary.

While in the foregoing there has been illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of my invention it being understood that minor changes in the de-tails of construction and arrangement of certain parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope thereof as claimed.

What I claim is:

1. An implement for use in remotely removing from the surface of the ground such'litter, as a palatable drink can, bottle or scrap paper selectively by the user thereof, said implement requiring but a single hand of the user in both the use and operation thereof, said implement comprising in combination, an elongated plunger sheath of rectangular cross-section having a foot portion provided in inclined relation therewith whereby providing an elbow therebetween, wherein the radius of curvature of said elbow being such that it will enable the user to rest said foot portion upon the surface of the ground as when sustaining the plunger sheath within the grip of a selective hand, a resilent hand grip provided in press-fitting surrounding relation with the free end portion of said plunger sheath, a plunger shaft adapted for a complimentary slidable fit within said plunger sheath, wherein the extent of the former being substantially less than the extent of said latter, a plug adapted for press-fitting relation with the mouth of said plunger sheath in proximity with said hand grip, a headed pintle disposed in fixed rotatable recessed relation with said plug, in a manner whereby said pintle projects its shank portion axially within the confine of said plunger sheath wherein constituting an anchor, a helical wound tension spring adapted for slidable relation within said plunger sheath for detachably securing the adjacent end portion of said plunger shaft to said anchor, as when said spring is disposed in interposed relation therewith, for serving the automatic recall of said plunger shaft as when extended from a normal resting position, a push pin provided in proximity with the forwardly disposed portion of said hand grip and in slidable lateral relation with the opposite sides of said plunger sheath and in fixed retion with said plunger shaft, said push pin being accommodated by a pair of opposed axial slots provided through the opposite walls of said plunger sheath respectively, wherein the forward pair of walls of said pair of slots constitute stops for limiting the extent of travel of said plunger shaft within said plunger sheath, whereby precluding the jaming of the said latter within said elbow; of a clevis provided in fixed superposed relation with the free end portion of said foot portion, said clevis being adapted to project its hinge pin beyond and above the 'portion of said plunger shaft, whereby the reciprocal action of the latter may be enable to swing said boom from and to the mouth of said foot portion alternately, a claw defined by a pair of opposed jaws each of which comprising a multiplicity of an odd number of semicircular shaped and equally spaced rod-members, each of which being provided with a forwardly tapered tooth portion, at one end portion thereof, wherein the opposite ends of each respective multiplicity of rod members being weldingly fixed to a common header member disposed in transverse relation therewith, wherein one of said jaws being affixed medially thereof in depending relation with the free end portion of said boom in a manner whereby the teeth of said movable jaw may be rested upon the surface of the ground as when the hand-grip is sustained by the user, and wherein the teeth of the said movable jaw will be directed towards the latter, as when said implement is disposed in a resting position, a stanchion adapted for superposed fixed relation medially the other said companion jaw, said stanchion being disposed in depending fixed relation with the said end portion of said foot portion in a manner whereby the respective teeth of one said jaw will be normally aligned in contiguous resilent relation with the respective teeth of the said companion jaw, by virture of the automatic recall of said plunger, means to amplify the distance of travel radially as when the movable jaw is influenced to move manually from said fixed jaw in respect to the axial distance traveled by said push-pin for enabling said jaws to bridge the periphery of said can or said bottle selectively as when said litter is disposed horizontally upon the surface of the ground, whereby said amplification will accommodate the extent of travel of the users thumb or index finger or both simultaneously and selectively as when applying a push force upon said push pin when sustaining the implement for use within an associated hand thereof, means for automatically injecting said rigid litter into the fold of said claw selectively and for grabbling scrap paper between the teeth thereof for releasably holding said respective litter, and means for remotely disposing said litter from the user, as into the interior of a suitable waste receptacle, whereby said implement further serves to preclude the contamination of the users hands by contact with said litter.

2. As claimed in claim I; wherein the means to amplify the distance of travel radially as when the movable jaw is influenced to move manually from said fixed jaw in respect to the axial distance traveled by said pushpin for enabling said jaws to bridge the periphery of said can or bottle selectively, as when said litter is disposed horizontally upon the surface of the ground, whereby said amplification will accommodate the extent of travel of the user's thumb or index finger or both simultaneously and selectively, as when applying a push-force upon said push-pin when sustaining the implement of use within an associated hand thereof, comprises the extent of the boom from its pivotal hinge-pin.

4. As claimed in claim I; wherein the means for remotely disposing said litter from the user, as into the interior of a suitable waste receptacle, whereby said implement further serves to preclude the contamination of the users hands by contact with the litter, comprises herein the manual release of the tension acting upon the said movable jaw afforded thereto by said tension spring. 

1. An implement for use in remotely removing from the surface of the ground such litter, as a palatable drink can, bottle or scrap paper selectively by the user thereof, said implement requiring but a single hand of the user in both the use and operation thereof, said implement comprising in combination, an elongated plunger sheath of rectangular cross-section having a foot portion provided in inclined relation therewith whereby providing an elbow therebetween, wherein the radius of curvature of said elbow being such that it will enable the user to rest said foot portion upon the surface of the ground as when sustaining the plunger sheath within the grip of a selective hand, a resilent hand grip provided in press-fitting surrounding relation with the free end portion of said plunger sheath, a plunger shaft adapted for a complimentary slidable fit within said plunger sheath, wherein the extent of the former being substantially less than the extent of said latter, a plug adapted for press-fitting relation with the mouth of said plunger sheath in proximity with said hand grip, a headed pintle disposed in fixed rotatable recessed relation with said plug, in a manner whereby said pintle projects its shank portion axially within the confine of said plunger sheath wherein constituting an anchor, a helical wound tension spring adapted for slidable relation within said plunger sheath for detachably securing the adjacent end portion of said plunger shaft to said anchor, as when said spring is disposed in interposed relation therewith, for serving the automatic recall of said plunger shaft as when extended from a normal resting position, a push pin provided in proximity with the forwardly disposed portion of said hand grip and in slidable lateral relation with the opposite sides of said plunger sheath and in fixed retion with said plunger shaft, said push pin being accommodated by a pair of opposed axial slots provided through the opposite walls of said plunger sheath respectively, wherein the forward pair of walls of said pair of slots constitute stops for limiting the extent of travel of said plunger shaft within said plunger sheath, whereby precluding the jaming of the said latter within said elbow; of a clevis provided in fixed superposed relation with the free end portion of said foot portion, said clevis being adapted to project its hinge pin beyond and above the medially disposed portion of the mouth associated with said foot portion, an elongated boom adapted for depending pivotal relation with said clevis and in spaced relation with said mouth associated with said foot portion, a train of roller links disposed in slidable relation with the inner perimeter of said elbow and in fixed linked relation with both said boom and the free end portion of said plunger shaft, whereby the reciprocal action of the latter may be enable to swing said boom from and to the mouth of said foot portion alternately, a claw defined by a pair of opposed jaws each of which comprising a multiplicity of an odd number of semi-circular shaped and equally spaced rod-members, each of which being provided with a forwardly tapered tooth portion, at one end portion thereof, wherein the opposite ends of each respective multiplicity of rod members being weldingly fixed to a common header member disposed in transverse relation therewith, wherein one of said jaws being affixed medially thereof in depending relation with the free end portion of said boom in a manner whereby the teeth of said movable jaw may be rested upon the surface of the ground as when the hand-grip is sustained by the user, and wherein the teeth of the said movable jaw will be directed towards the latter, as when said implement is disposed in a resting position, a stanchion adapted for superposed fixed relation medially the other said companion jaw, said stanchion being disposed in depending fixed relation with the said end portion of said foot portion in a manner whereby the respective teeth of one said jaw will be normally aligned in contiguous resilent relation with the respective teeth of the said companion jaw, by virture of the autOmatic recall of said plunger, means to amplify the distance of travel radially as when the movable jaw is influenced to move manually from said fixed jaw in respect to the axial distance traveled by said push-pin for enabling said jaws to bridge the periphery of said can or said bottle selectively as when said litter is disposed horizontally upon the surface of the ground, whereby said amplification will accommodate the extent of travel of the user''s thumb or index finger or both simultaneously and selectively as when applying a push force upon said push pin when sustaining the implement for use within an associated hand thereof, means for automatically injecting said rigid litter into the fold of said claw selectively and for grabbling scrap paper between the teeth thereof for releasably holding said respective litter, and means for remotely disposing said litter from the user, as into the interior of a suitable waste receptacle, whereby said implement further serves to preclude the contamination of the user''s hands by contact with said litter.
 2. As claimed in claim I; wherein the means to amplify the distance of travel radially as when the movable jaw is influenced to move manually from said fixed jaw in respect to the axial distance traveled by said push-pin for enabling said jaws to bridge the periphery of said can or bottle selectively, as when said litter is disposed horizontally upon the surface of the ground, whereby said amplification will accommodate the extent of travel of the user''s thumb or index finger or both simultaneously and selectively, as when applying a push-force upon said push-pin when sustaining the implement of use within an associated hand thereof, comprises the extent of the boom from its pivotal hinge-pin.
 3. As claimed in claim I; wherein the means for automatically injecting said rigid litter into the fold of said claw selectively and for grabbling scrap paper between the teeth thereof for releasably holding said respective litter, comprises the raking action of the movable jaw when automatically retracted from its open position in respect to the fixed jaw by virtue of the recall of the plunger shaft, when the user releases his thumb, index finger or both simultaneously from the said push pin.
 4. As claimed in claim I; wherein the means for remotely disposing said litter from the user, as into the interior of a suitable waste receptacle, whereby said implement further serves to preclude the contamination of the user''s hands by contact with the litter, comprises herein the manual release of the tension acting upon the said movable jaw afforded thereto by said tension spring. 